Nothing to See Here...

[6Smiles]

Kris,

High school is the killer. All three of my kids are currently in high school. The oldest graduates in June.

for a HS grad! College plans in the works?

I will have a Junior and Freshman next year as well as one in 5th and one in 1st. Sometimes I wonder what i was thinking . Actually my youngest was a major surprise, thought I was done, the big man upstairs just laughed and blessed me with a fourth daughter .

Three in HS, WOW! Very close in ages then.
High School is such a balancing act, trusting, encouraging and making sure they don't fall flat on their face

Kris

 

[kaoden39]

for a HS grad! College plans in the works?

I will have a Junior and Freshman next year as well as one in 5th and one in 1st. Sometimes I wonder what i was thinking . Actually my youngest was a major surprise, thought I was done, the big man upstairs just laughed and blessed me with a fourth daughter .

Three in HS, WOW! Very close in ages then.
High School is such a balancing act, trusting, encouraging and making sure they don't fall flat on their face

Kris

She is going to go to community college for two years and then transfer to a state college.


Your kids are spaced much further than mine for sure. Expenses wise I wish mine were. Four in high school at the same time is costly for sure.

And your baby was a blessing indeed.


I think they'll be okay, I just wish they cared as much about school as they do other things.

 

[tksbaskets]

I can't wait for your trip report this holiday!! I'm hoping you get priority seating for EVERYTHING!!

 

[mariezp]

Hi Sherry! Been going back and catching up on what I've missed. Lordy, I do believe you are indeed in need of a Disneyland getaway!

I hope it works out that you get to see your friends for a day at least but I do also hope that they decide to be just a little more considerate this time when it comes to making plans and then changing or backing out. If it were me I am afraid I would have given up making plans around other friends especially since you have now discovered just how much fun you can have on your own. You must have amazing patience and are truly a devoted friend to be still open to the idea of trying to plan a trip around some of your "flakes" after all the different twists and turns that they keeping throwing at you! I do think you are deciding that a solo trip definitely has is advantages!

I am so glad to hear that you went ahead and got to make some reservations! It is always such a wonderful feeling to know that you have a plan in the works. I applaud you for extending the offer to your friend but going ahead and booking dates that would be acceptable for you. I think you will end up liking that first week of December. YAY for no down payment and all the extra perks! I do hope everyone doesn't all show up at once and try to invade your space! I did think your AP expired about the same time as mine did so I thought you might be going sooner. Oh well, guess I'm out of luck this year. No lunch with Sherry. Maybe 2012! My kids have already asked me if we were going to get to have Thanksgiving in the park this year, which we won't, but that may well be when we head to the park next time around. Sure gives me a good start date to plan. LOL!

I hope you get a chance to see the Candlelight Processional. I think everyone should even if it's just once. (wouldn't mind going myself again someday!) Can't believe there are no CP photos over on the Christmas Superthread. My photos are from several years back but I will definelty see about posting some just to be representative of the CP.

Refresh my memory. I know you mentioned Club 33. Just how did you manage to wrangle that invitation??? And how did I miss hearing about you winning a ST2 Sneak Peek??? Bummer that you couldn't make it.

We love wandering over to Gardenwalk. The walk over is not too bad and the mall itself is always quiet and pleasant. So far we have only eaten at Bubba Gump (yummo!) and Fire & Ice(not impressed) but they do have a good selection of other places I really want to try, mainly PF Chang and Cheesecake Factory. I am hoping to run across a good promotion or coupon right before our trip that I just can't resist. You can sign up for a newsletter with most of the dining establishments. I think about once a month they usually send out some sort of offer. Anyway, also at GW, we enjoy the movie theater. The bowling alley was only good if you didn't mind looking at and listening to all the pop star teeny boppers. My son thought it was something akin to being tortured. LOL!

I hope all your woes are not keeping you from being able to get a little excited about heading to Catalina. Hopefully the changes made on the island will not have a big impact on your trip. Too bad they blocked off one of your favorite roads. Considering you are going to be pressed for time maybe it won't be such a bad thing as I am sure your time will be cram packed anyway.

I may be joining you in the bad computer category before long. Mine has been acting a little crazy lately. I was supposed to send it over to our tech this evening but we will see. Don't really relish the thought of being without a computer so I keep putting it off but also trying not to hold out too long and cross the line of no return. I am hoping that it will be something simple and not a major repair. I'll be crossing my fingers for you too that something works out for you too that doesn't cost you and arm and a leg and gets you up and running again good as new.

Well if you messaged me about going to Catalina with you I would have answered!!! I don't always comment on threads or posts on FB....but I am reading them!! If someone specifically asks me a question....I'll be polite enough to respond.......nuff said!

EXACTLY! I browse around a lot but if I don't have much time or I am in some strange blue funk I often don't make many comments but it is never because I am trying to be rude or I have something against anyone. However, if you asked me something specific I would try to get back with you ASAP. And, I'm absolutley up for the "Sherry's New Friends Meet N Greet" if it ever happens to fall during our vacation time!

 

[tinksdreamwishes]

sherry- you have over 102,00 views so far! Could you only imagine how if everybody showed up for your meet and greet? Think how loved you are!

 

[bumbershoot]

Letting this fall so far down in the list just isn't right.

Hi!

 

[azdisneylover]

I agree, Bumpershoot! I was hoping Sherry would have an update on a new computer!

 

[Sherry E]

Molly & Linda - Thank you for thinking of me!

I'm here! I'm here! I've been intending to make my way back over here to my TR but when I've planned it or attempted to do it, something else would come up.

And actually, when I was reading Bret's TR and looking at his photos the other day, getting ready to comment on the photos, my PC just froze up - it's part of the same issue with the hard drive. It's not going to get any better and seems to only be getting worse. It locks up and makes rumbling noises intermittently through the day. It often just freezes when I am in the middle of typing something here on the DIS, so I can't even copy and save the text because it's just locked up. OR it freezes up when I am trying to do random surveys to make extra $$$, and I lose the whole survey.

I've mentioned to a couple of people that I've been in communication overload. This started with a friend asking me to join him in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. I was not able to get to Vegas on 3-days' notice for various reasons (even though I would have loved to because I haven't been to Vegas in 100 years and it's a lot of fun!), but that led to discussions about a Disneyland trip in his family's near future.

All of a sudden, there are dfferent groups of friends planning to come to L.A this year, and a few of them are planning Disneyland trips. One group of friends is coming next month, right over my birthday week. They are not going to DLR.

But, as you all recall, I have my Catalina day on my birthday so I have to then figure out other plans to do with my in-town July friends. Another group is coming in late November. Another group is not sure when they are coming, but they think it will be November. And yet another group of friends was going to come out this month - June - but changed their plans to November, and may change them to another month yet again...and a 4-day DLR trip will be on their agenda.

I am trying to tell the DLR-bound friends (2 out of the 4 groups of friends) the best weeks to go (in terms of lower crowds), but they don't listen. And then my other friends are still planning on joining me at DLR in November/December.

So I've been dispensing advice and planning help (some are listening to my advice and some are not). Some friends are totally lost on where to begin and would just as soon hand over the entire planning operation to ME. That would be fine - if I didn't have my own life to deal with at the moment, and my own plans! I have a week in late November/early December booked, as you all already know from when I posted a couple of weeks ago, and I have a one-day Catalina adventure next month that I have to plan for, along with planning to see the in-town friends.

I've also been texting (which I hate), replying to messages on Facebook - which my PC seems to hate, voice mailing, e-mailing, having actual phone conversations...and then I have to come back over here to the DIS to check on things, like maybe move a thread or two, post in some threads, etc.

I am used to peace and quiet and not all of this frenzied activitiy, so IF all of these random friends manage to actually make it out here this year, and there are DLR trips involved, then I am going to be in a whirlwind all year long with seeing people or helping them plan for their own trips. It's not a bad thing - if it happens - it's just that I'm not used to it. It's a lot to take in at once!!

I'm staying calm and not stressing too much yet, though, because I figure that probably only 2 out of the 4 groups are definitely coming out (both females and their families - one next month and one in late November/early December), and the other two groups of friends (both males and their families) will probably change their minds 50 times before anything is concluded...but the male friends and their families happen to be the ones who need the most help with planning for DLR and would just as soon have me do it!

So if this year turns out the way it's looking now - with an onslaught of friends and visits and children (all 4 groups of friends have kids) and activities and stress over planning and not having any money and all of that - it could turn out that I end up seeing more friends in one year than I've ever seen in my life!

But I am taking it one month at a time.

Next month I will make my grand return to Catalina with my free birthday boat trip - there is going to be a Beatles photo exhibit at the Catalina Island Museum when I am there, and the photos were all taken by Pattie Boyd, the woman who was involved with both George Harrison and Eric Clapton (Eric wrote "Layla" about her, and George wrote "Something" ["something in the way she moves..."]) about her. So I will try to catch that too, in between walking around Avalon and getting reacquainted.

Either before or after that Catalina visit, the first group of friends - the July Group - will be here and I have to figure out what we can do.

After that, we will see who else comes out when!

And let's not forget about HalloweenTime - I am still trying to coordinate a HalloweenTime DLR visit somewhere in the midst of all this! It may only be a day trip, or maybe an overnighter, but that's been my plan all along - to return to HalloweenTime at DLR this year! How will I manage all of this?

And, to think...this whirlwind of activity could have started with me running off to Las Vegas last month for a few days, if I'd had money and been able to go on last minute notice. That would have been a whole different Trip Report! I wish I were one of those people in the position to just travel spontaneously, but I'm not, sadly!

I know I have other people to reply to in this TR - that's why I have been intending to get back over here for a while now. I have not forgotten everyone who has stayed loyal to my TR and brought it over the 102,000 views mark (or is it over 103,000 now? 104,000? I haven't looked in a few weeks)! I'm just trying to get everything done and there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day!

I may have a lot of little side 'trips' of sorts to report on throughout this year now that all this stuff is coming up, but the main event, of course, is the big 7-night (or 5-night) extravaganza at the PPH for the holidays later this year! That's what everyone is waiting on, as it will surely yield thousands and thousands of photos and stories of lethal scarves, wicked peppermint confections, feats of wonder as I save said confections and trash cans from crashing to the ground, dastardly chairs and Soggy Butt Syndrome after zoomin' 'n' bouncin' on POTC!!!!

I have a feeling this TR may be a non-stop report if the year goes as it sounds like it may go. We will see what happens! Right now, it's the calm before the storm!

 

[kaoden39]

 

[DizNee Luver]

I"d be excited to have lots of friends coming to town to visit.......I love that kind of stuff....but with you....money would always be an issue to factor in.

I think the best way to approach it all is to just look to the next thing......like next up is your Catalina birthday trip.....that would be all that I'd worry about right now. When that's done.......NEXT!

If things work out with Mike finding work....we might end up close to where you live......he's looking at openings at Sherman Oaks & Woodland Hills. If that happens (and our refund from the IRS gets into my hands like pronto)....we could be down there before summers end. If we move down there.....you know I'm looking you up...so put that on your "Next" calendar......lol

 

[azdisneylover]

I love family/friends visiting too. May 26th a few nephews and nieces surprised us and showed up at our home. My nephew had graduated the day prior, and his grand dad was at his graduation. Within a few minutes of them walking in the door, my sister called, saying their granddad was hospitalized (his legs bothered him at the graduation with all the bleachers). Found a blood clot in each lung. He was doing fine Friday afternoon, talk of releasing him in 2 days, by late Friday night, my sis said he was incubated and to send the kids home first thing in the morning, Saturday. He had a brain bleed, never woke up. He passed away on Memorial Day. Mr M was in his early 80s, but it was a major shock for him to pass. This surprise visit let me send back with the kids my sis' favorite cookies I make for her at Christmas, along with breads, brownies and cookies so she could offer people, along with some $$$ to help with gas or food, since we couldn't be there with them. Life sure is interesting to say the least, how things work out. Yikes, didn't mean to ramble.
Sherry, you will make it work and have a wonderful time whether all, some or none of your friends show up.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love the trip reports and pictures. I have never seen most of the old ones because I wasn't born yet (I was born in '95).

 

[Sherry E]

I love the trip reports and pictures. I have never seen most of the old ones because I wasn't born yet (I was born in '95).

Thank you, Kaitlin!

I know! I'm an old woman! I would imagine that half of the pictures in this entire TR - especially the ones from the '70s and '80s - seem ancient to you! The characters' costumes looked weird back in the old days, too, didn't they? Goofy's Kitchen was different. Things were very different at Disneyland back in those days!

Some of the stuff from the old days I wish the would bring back, like the Monorail Cafe (no photos of that in this TR, sadly). That was a yummy place to eat! Milkshakes and delicious onion rings and BBQ chicken sandwiches! I really wish they had found a way to put it back in the DLH, especially since they have the new Monorail slide thingy at the hotel pool.

I'm so glad you're still here with us in my Trip Report! I was planning on an update (or a non-update) but am trying to get myself in the mood to do it!

 

[tksbaskets]

Thank you, Kaitlin!

I know! I'm an old woman! I would imagine that half of the pictures in this entire TR - especially the ones from the '70s and '80s - seem ancient to you! The characters' costumes looked weird back in the old days, too, didn't they? Goofy's Kitchen was different. Things were very different at Disneyland back in those days!

Some of the stuff from the old days I wish the would bring back, like the Monorail Cafe (no photos of that in this TR, sadly). That was a yummy place to eat! Milkshakes and delicious onion rings and BBQ chicken sandwiches! I really wish they had found a way to put it back in the DLH, especially since they have the new Monorail slide thingy at the hotel pool.

I'm so glad you're still here with us in my Trip Report! I was planning on an update (or a non-update) but am trying to get myself in the mood to do it!

YIKES that makes me OLDER than dirt...

 

[kaoden39]

I realize that I must be considered a dinosaur. Mind you I am okay with that.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I may have a lot of little side 'trips' of sorts to report on throughout this year now that all this stuff is coming up, but the main event, of course, is the big 7-night (or 5-night) extravaganza at the PPH for the holidays later this year! That's what everyone is waiting on, as it will surely yield thousands and thousands of photos and stories of lethal scarves, wicked peppermint confections, feats of wonder as I save said confections and trash cans from crashing to the ground, dastardly chairs and Soggy Butt Syndrome after zoomin' 'n' bouncin' on POTC!!!!

I have a feeling this TR may be a non-stop report if the year goes as it sounds like it may go. We will see what happens! Right now, it's the calm before the storm!

I hope the weather is cool enough to bring out the scarf! Ah...one of my favorite stories from your TR. Can't wait to read about all your adventures this year.

Anything new on the computer/tooth front?

 

[tksbaskets]

The trash can/ice cream cone adventure is one of my favorite DIS stories of all times!

 

[Sherry E]

No news on the computer/tooth front, sadly. All kinds of chaos happening on other fronts, though!

Next month is my hopeful one-day birthday trip to Catalina and also the first group of friends from out of town visiting. So I will have to figure out what to do with them.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...my other out-of-state friends and I are trying to coordinate DLR for the late November/early December trip. At first they were supposed to be staying in my PPH room. I was not thrilled with the idea of people staying in my room but they were going to be there. I invited them to come along on my trip. Now I feel a bit like I am being included on their trip.

Once my friends decided to get a separate hotel room, suddenly they began organizing on which day certain people would be there or certain things would be happening. I have to keep my plan as is and continue on as though it is my plan, in case they can't end up coming or something. If I knew for sure I could count on them to show up, it would be different. Since I can't, I have to proceed as though it is my plan and forge ahead. Right now, I don't like the plan they have for who is coming or what is happening on Day 1 and Day 2, and I am trying to switch Day 2 and Day 1 around! I tried to suggest alternate ideas to my friend, and I am trying to reach a compromise so we are both satisfied but she seems to have gotten stressed out about it (welcome to my world) and stopped communicating!

Meanwhile, I am still trying to figure out if I can use a PIN code I got for the hotels which is only good between 10/16 and 10/31. It's $163 for the PPH again. I had planned on a DLR Halloween visit of some kind, but I don't know if I can swing the hotel as far as money. Although, it would be good to stay over for one night, especially if I go to the Halloween party.



But yes, hopefully the holiday DLR trip will be cold enough for me to wave my lethal scarf around wildly at random innocent people, and yet, oddly, warm enough for me to enjoy a nice peppermint ice cream cone...without the trash can and near-catastrophe involved.

 

[Belle Ella]

You know my vote on the PIN/Halloween party = Do it!!! Even just one night. Maybe you know someone who you wouldn't mind splitting it with to stay with you the one night to cut costs. I dunno. But it's a sign, that's what I say It sure would be convenient, staying on-site and then going to the Party.

Oh, and I don't get to drop in and say hi as much as I used to and it makes me feel sad!

Sorry about the friend drama going on with the November/December trip. I kind of have this fear now that I'm inviting friends with me for my September trip (even if it's starting to look like nobody will be able to make it) that at some point all the planning will be going in two or more different directions.

And did I say hi?

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I was born before they took away the monorail cafe. I was born in '95. When did they take it out?